July 21, 2003
Stebbins Dean
Crack Up in Naples!
By Thomas Hobbs, Staff Writer

     FRESNO - Stebbins Dean, CEO of Fresno’s Chamber of Commerce, has been arrested in a police sting operation in Naples, Florida. The arrest was covered in the local Naples Daily News. Collier County sheriff’s report states that Dean negotiated purchase of what he believed to be crack cocaine from undercover officers on Saturday night.
      At the time of his arrest, Dean told officers he was staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples while attending a conference for the national Chamber Executives' Leadership Forum.
     According to court records, it’s not the first time that Dean has been charged with a felony. On November 2, 2002 he was arrested for DUI and illegal drug paraphernalia was found in his car.
     Taken from the Sheriff’s Office report in Collier County, the following:
     “On July 19, 2003 at approximately 2205 hours, the Naples Police Vice Narcotics Division was working in the area of the River Park Apts. 402 11th St. N., Naples, Florida. Sgt. Popka observed a white male subject, later identified as Stebbins Franklin DEAN walking in the area of the 1000 block of 5th Ave,. N., Naples, Florida. Sgt. Popka observed DEAN looking in the apartment area through the buildings as if he was appearing to make contact with several pedestrians who were present in the Area. DEAN then began to walk southbound on 11th St. N. through the residential neighborhood of the River Park Apartments. Detectives continued to monitor DEAN as he walked through the apartment complex slowly continuing to appear as if he was attempting to make contact with pedestrians who were in this area. DEAN continued walking west on 3rd Ave. N., Naples, Florida.”
     “Detective Fletcher was working in an undercover capacity and approached DEAN. Detective Fletcher asked DEAN, “What do you need?” DEAN walked over to Detective Fletcher and stated, “Eighty,” referring to the street terminology for eighty dollars worth of crack cocaine. Detective Fletcher is familiar with the street terminology utilized in this area involving the purchasing and distribution of narcotics, specifically crack cocaine. Detective Fletcher advised DEAN that he could sell him crack cocaine. Detective Fletcher asked if DEAN had the money. DEAN removed a wallet from his rear pants pocket and showed Detective Fletcher U.S. currency contained inside. Detective Fletcher showed DEAN three pieces of “fake” crack cocaine. DEAN advised Detective Fletcher that he did not believe that the pieces that Detective Fletcher showed him appeared to be eighty dollars worth of crack cocaine. Detective Fletcher agreed and stated that he could sell the crack cocaine for fifty dollars. DEAN advised Detective Fletcher that he only had forty-two dollars to purchase the crack cocaine that Detective Fletcher had shown DEAN. Detective Fletcher agreed to sell the three pieces of “fake” crack cocaine for forty-two dollars. DEAN then handed Detective Fletcher two-twenty dollar bills and 2-one dollar bills of U.S. currency ($42.00) for the purchase of three pieces of crack cocaine. Detective Fletcher handed DEAN three “fake” pieces of crack cocaine to complete the transaction.”
     “DEAN then began to walk away from the area and was placed under arrest by backup units. As officers approached DEAN with blue/red lights flashing to arrest DEAN, he was observed making a throwing motion and discarding the three pieces of crack cocaine into a rubbish pile. The three pieces of crack cocaine were not recovered.”
     “DEAN advised that he was in the Naples, Florida area on a business trip and conference, staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. DEAN stated he still resides in Fresno, CA where he’s employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. DEAN attempted to convince Detectives that he has never smoked crack cocaine before, and he just was going to try crack cocaine on this date for the first time. DEAN advised he took a cab from the Ritz to the River Park neighborhood to buy his crack.” End of report.

[Editor’s Note: The above criminal report was obtained from the Sheriff's Office Collier County, Naples Florida. It was signed by the Arresting Officer Badge number N0046 on the 19th day of July, 2003. Sheriff’s Office Collier County Naples, Florida. Report number 0302702. Criminal index number FLO110100. Dean’s arraignment is Aug. 18 in Collier County, Florida Circuit Court. If found guilty, sentence could be a maximum of five years in prison and $2,500 fine. The Fresno Chamber of Commerce web site is curiously missing any references to Stebbins Dean and the chamber appears to be leaderless at this point.]

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